Refusal to pursue clemency for a Canadian on death row in Montana does not mean Conservatives want to bring back the death penalty, says Justice Minister and Attorney General Robert Nicholson.
Justice Minister and Attorney General Robert Nicholson spoke at Western Law’s Distinguished Speaker Series, discussing the portfolio’s agenda. captiontexthere
“We are not introducing legislation to bring back the death penalty,” says Nicholson, speaking at Western Law’s Distinguished Speaker Series.
“But the warning is to Canadians, if you get into the business – in a country with democratic principles that you get a fair trial – you’re murdering or into mass murdering, you cannot necessarily count on the Canadian government to intervene on your behalf. We’ll deal with that on a case-by-case basis.”
Canadian Ronald Smith was convicted in 1983 of a double murder and has been fighting execution for years. The previous Liberal government sought clemency, but the Conservatives withdrew this help after taking office.
Last week, Supreme Court Justice Robert Barnes ruled the Conservatives must reverse their position and fight for clemency, citing a “breach of the duty of procedural fairness.”
“It’s a very tragic story, the execution of two innocent young men in Montana,” says Nicholson. “We’ve indicated that we will deal on a case-by-case basis on a number of criteria on any individual who finds himself in a foreign country where they have been convicted of murder, or in the case that’s before us, multiple murders.”
Nicholson says the Conservative government will review the ruling and “take steps as we deem appropriate.”
“We’ll have a very close look at it,” he says.
Nicholson also discussed his work around drugs and gang violence, including seeking mandatory jail time.
“We’re sending out a clear message that if you bring drugs in this country you’re going to jail. We want to break this cycle and get these people off the street. We have an important role to play at the federal level and we intend to play that role, but we’re just one part of the solution. We need help from all levels of government.”
Nicholson touched on other areas such as mutual security concerns with other countries, the relationship with the Supreme Court, and the daily role of the justice minister.